Madison times., 1887-03-26

West?" | asked, 1T is different in the
intensity OF expression" said Mrs VIII
cox. The Western people are hungry
for progress and they viii have it. in
every way. literature, cultivation CT
whatever it may be, AMI naturally one
finds many responsive hearts among
such people"
Mrs. Wilcox is good horsewoman,
and is frequently seen cantering
through the town costumed in a gray
habit. As most poets are supposed to
be different from the rest of mankind
in their ideas of life. taste, &c, Mrs.
Wilcox is no exception. She dresses in
a manner wholly her own. She invari-
ably wears VIII te indoors, and it is usu.
ally white satin. in Kate Greanaway
style. with high puffs to the sleeves and
short, gathered waist. She finds that
white satin does not soil as easily as
one might suppose, owing TO its glazed
surface. In the evening she wears the
same style of dress, only with low neck
and short sleeves.
My dresses. although effective. do
not cost any more than many palmer
ones. White satin is not rs expensive
as black, you know" She added: ~
wouldn't like women-young girls es-
pecially-tO get their heads filled with
fine clothes through me. used to cry,
as a ch Id. when ! saw others much
more finely dressed than ], until |
learned it was all a matter of taste and
that the ugliest costume is frequently
the most costly"
On the street Mrs. Wilcox usually
wears dark blue; she dslikes black and
never wears it, but this is one of her
idiosyncracies, for black dresses are
considered becoming by most women.
Is Ella Wheeler Wilcox handsome, how
does she look, is she old or young?
All these questions are frequently asked
by those who read her poems. Well.
let me tell you how she looked this
charming winters day OF which | write.
Imagine a girlish figure, not too short
A young woman-thirty? Well. per-
haps little more. when one remem-
bers how long she has written. Yet
she could easily pass for many years
younger. She impresses one as girl.
yet she is profound enough in conversa-
ton. when she is in the humOr. A
head covered with luxuriant growth
of rcd-brown hair. which falls down
about her like mantle. She usually
dresses it high, with soft curls resting
upon her forehead. Rather pale. with
a slender face. and brown eyes. and a
kindly expression. There YOU have
Ella Wheeler Wilcox.
Happy as Mrs. Wilcox is in her home.
she finds it quiet at times when her
husbands business calls him away from
her, and on these occasions she visits
New York, where she enjoys all possi-
bic pleasures and the society Of many
friends. She likes excitement and says
she writes better under such influences
/ rather than in seclusion. The hustle
of a large city seems to exhiarate her
and awakens a desire to accomplish
something more. 81 would soon rust
out in humdrum existence" she said
in referring to it. ~ love the hustle.
the roar, the excitement. the people
everything about a big city," she said
/ enthusiastically
A pretty poem of Mrs. Wilcox is
published in Mrs. James Brown Pot
/ ter's recltations. 1t is called
Two SINNERS"
I There was man. IL was ssd one time.
! Who went sstray In his youthful prime.
Can the brain Keep cool and the heart keep QuisI
I When the blood is a river that's running riotf
: And boys v III be boys, the old folks say,
! And mans the better who's had hi, day.
/ The sinner reformed, and the preacher told
or the prodigsi son who came back to the fold,
; And Christian people threw open the door
/ with warmer welcome than ever before.
Wealth and honor were 20 msnd
/ And spotlcss woman gave him her hand
And the world strewed their pathway with flower .
s-bloom,
+ Crying. God bles, lady and God bless groom"
/ There was a maiden went astray,
: In the golden dawn OF her life's young dag:
, She had more passion and heart than head
! And she followed blindiy where fond love led
! And love unchecked IL a dangerous guide
/ To wander st will by fair girls side.
| The woman repented and turned from sin,
But no door opened to let her in;
1 The preacher prayed that she might be forgiven,
/ But told her 10 look for mercy in heaven.
I For this Is the law Of the earth. we know.
That the woman Is scorned. while the man may go.
! A brave man welded her. after ALL
But the world said. frownng. I'VE shall not call"
A touching incident is connected
with the publication of this poem. Soon
after it appeared Mrs. Wilcox received
/ the following note:
! Mrs Ella Wheeler Wae0z.
| DEAR MADAME: viii you let NE thank YOU
| for the poem entitled Two Sinners" You,
| who are so pure and charitable, will under
stand the grateful feeling one who was once
/ a fallen woman must have toward you. have
! found no mercy since ] tried TO regain nv
/ position among respectable people, and de.
( spair OF future hope. II NAV be that shall
/ return to the old life.
| Accept these lines from one who 10 sincerely
| grateful. We may meet beyond the gates"
/ God bless you. ---.
| Mrs. Wilcox was much impressed by
! this letter and made urfruitful attempts
to discover the writer. She still re-
tains it among her treasures carefully
l fo1IaA axro- TO oyonnr nthar r.